Blended Learning
Remote education provision: information for parents and carers
Blended Learning provision – contingency planning
This information is intended to provide clarity and transparency to pupils and parents or carers about what to expect from remote education, should contingency plans need to be established. The academy has a range of packages, 'gold package'. And 'silver package'.
Remote learning is broadly in line with the following number of hours.
Key Stage 1: 3 hours
Key Stage 2: 4 hours
Should remote learning occur, teaching is reflective of the curriculum and most lessons are delivered through 'live' teaching via MS Teams. Lessons follow our lesson structures and cycles. Adaptations are made to accommodate home learning. At times pre-recorded lessons may be used. A broad and balanced curriculum will be offered including lessons and challenges that give children a break from their screen such as PE, art and PSHE. Children in Year 2 and above should practise their times tables on the Times Tables Rock Stars app for 10 minutes every day. All children should read for 20 minutes a day and complete an Accelerated Reader quiz when they finish a book.
DB Primary is used to share information including; timetables, tasks, communications, links to learning, community groups and email.
If a child does not have suitable online access or requires support they are able to contact the Pastoral Team.
The remote curriculum: what is taught to pupils at home
A pupil's first day or two of being educated remotely might look different from our standard approach, while we take all necessary actions to prepare for a longer period of remote teaching.
What should my child expect from immediate remote education in the first day or two of pupils being sent home?
The academy will require 24 hours' notice of a covid related absence to arrange remote learning for your child. Work will be made available on DB Primary to complete and if a bubble has been closed, live lessons will also be taught on MS Teams and recorded in case your child is unable to access it live. Full details can be found here: DA Parental Guidance for Blended Learning Expectations.
Following the first few days of remote education, will my child be taught broadly the same curriculum as they would if they were in school?
We teach the same curriculum remotely as we do in school wherever possible and appropriate. Most lessons will be delivered live, following our lesson structures and cycles. However, we have needed to make some adaptations in some subjects. For example, Mr Felton and the PE team have planned lessons to help the children stay fit at home as well as two Olympics-inspired activities each week of a national lockdown.
How long can I expect work set by the school to take my child each day?
Remote education (including remote teaching and independent work) will take pupils broadly the following number of hours each day:
Key Stage 1: 3 hours
Key Stage 2: 4 hours
How will my child be taught remotely?
We use a combination of the following approaches to teach pupils remotely:
- Most of our teaching will be live teaching of reading, writing, maths, history, geography and science and Key Stage 1 phonics (online lessons streamed by Darlinghurst staff)
- These lessons will be recorded so if your child is unable to attend a lesson, they can still access it later
- Sometimes teachers may need to record their lesson in advance or direct the children to attend a recorded lesson by the government funded Oak National Academy
- Over the course of the week, a broad and balanced curriculum will be offered including lessons and challenges that give children a break from their screen such as PE, art and PSHE
- Children in Year 2 and above should practise their times tables on the Times Tables Rock Stars app for 10 minutes every day
- All children should read for 20 minutes a day and complete an Accelerated Reader quiz when they finish a book
How will my child access any online remote education you are providing?
DB Primary will be used to share:
- Weekly timetables that outline each year group's remote learning
- Independent tasks and activities set in live lessons
- PDF versions of the live lessons' presentation slides
- Communication with the children via the email and year group community pages
- Links to high quality lessons from third parties such as the government-funded Oak National Academy
Microsoft Teams will be used to access
- Live lessons delivered by our staff
- Pre-recorded lessons by our staff if your child was unable to attend a lesson live
If my child does not have digital or online access at home, how will you support them to access remote education?
We recognise that some pupils may not have suitable online access at home. We take the following approaches to support those pupils to access remote education:
If your child does not have suitable online access, please contact Miss Davis by email generalenquiries@darlinghurstacademy.org.uk or call 01702 478379 and a printed pack will be arranged and delivered. The academy is also working with some families who need additional support in this regard.
What are your expectations for my child's engagement and the support that we as parents and carers should provide at home?
- Parents should use their year group's weekly timetable to help set and maintain a routine and structure to their child's day
- Pupils should be suitably dressed and follow our usual expectations for behaviour
- Pupils should have their camera on and microphone muted unless otherwise directed by their teacher
- When it is not possible for your child to access a live lesson, support them to catch up the recorded lesson as soon as possible
- Encourage them to contribute to additional activities set in assemblies and by the PE team
How will you check whether my child is engaging with their work and how will I be informed if there are concerns?
Teachers will take a register for each of their live lessons. Assignments and quizzes will be set online, with teachers informed of the time that work is submitted and, where appropriate, their score. Independent work completed on paper should be uploaded to DB Primary so the teacher can assess it.
Teachers will call you once a week to check on your child. If they are concerned by your child's engagement, they will raise this with you then. If you need additional support or engagement remains a concern, Mrs Grant or Mrs Ricks will be in touch to support you.
How will you assess my child's work and progress?
Teachers will use a range of questioning techniques to assess children's engagement and understanding throughout lessons as they would in class. This will include the use of 'breakout rooms' during live lessons that allow children to talk with partners or in groups, monitored by their teacher. Work will also be marked live with solutions to problems and support to improve work.
Quizzes and assignments set on MS Teams will be viewed by teachers. Where appropriate, scores and correct answers will be provided. Independent work in books should be uploaded through DB Primary to be viewed by your child's teacher. Feedback on submitted work outside of live lessons will be provided at least once a week in English and maths.
How will you work with me to help my child who needs additional support from adults at home to access remote education?
Any child with additional needs should be able to access the live teaching, which will allow for scaffold and support. Should you feel that your child needs further adjustments, please contact your child's teacher in the first instance who will be aware of their additional needs. Mrs Grant, our Inclusion Leader, will be able to provide extra advice if necessary. Mrs Grant can be contacted on generalenquiries@darlinghurst.co.uk. If your child has an EHCP plan, Mrs Grant will continue to make regular telephone contact with you.
Remote education for self-isolating pupils
Where an individual child needs to self-isolate but their bubble remains in school, they will be supported by our 'silver package'. This will be different to our gold package due to the challenges of teaching pupils both at home and in the academy.
In this situation, we will not be able to offer live lessons but a broad and balanced curriculum that reflects the learning in the classroom will be made available through DB Primary. This will include a weekly timetable to help you support your child with a routine. For full details, please read DA Parental Guidance for Blended Learning Expectations
Additional documents and guidance linked to blended learning:
Covid Remote Learning Policy 2021
Oak National Academy Online Classroom
Please ensure that your child knows their access details for DB Primary and MS TEAMS.